Technology in Elementary School
Parent Q&A
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Our 5yo started kindergarten in fall 2022 at a public school, and we were surprised that all students in his grade would be issued a Chromebook. I had asked the school staff how much of their learning would be based on Chromebook and was told that it would only be used for assessments; in fact, parents could opt-out of getting the Chromebook. However, given that we had the choice to have one issued to our child and just put it away for storage until needed (and also, who knows about another lockdown), we chose getting one because we didn't want him to feel left out of what seemed to be a standard equipment issue in this day and age. Lately, my son has been asking to play games on his computer and reports that he sees his peers both talking about playing on their computer and using them during after-school hours. We are deliberately a low-tech family with our children, and I am uncomfortable with introducing devices so early on. So, he has never touched his Chromebook except to bring it to school when asked.
I am a Gen Xer who didn't have my first flip phone until graduate school. Can parents please shed light to me on any pros (cons welcome, too - maybe I haven't thought of them all) for introducing this kind of device so early on, specifically Chromebook/basic laptop for 5yos? Plus, he has younger siblings, which is another concern of mine. I'm not even broaching smartphones or video games because that is a firm "no" still in our household. I understand some parents make the choice to introduce digital learning to their kids around this time, but we made a conscious decision not to do that. I just don't know if my son is missing out on something and if I'm being too much of a dinosaur. Thanks!
Apr 28, 2023 -
We are relocating to the Berkeley/ Oakland area and are looking for technology free elemetary schools. We have taken tours of both Waldorf schools and are wondering if there are additional schools that offer this kind of screen-free environment. We are also curious how much screen time kids are getting in the Berkeley and Oakland public schools. Our son will be entering the 1st grade; where we have been living, the disctrict considers itself "tech forward" and thus, from kindergarten on, technology is integrated (youtube, g suite, iready, star fall, etc). We currently homeschool and are trying to get away from this model in the event we opt to send him into the classroon environment. Any suggestion/ info is appreciated!
Sep 12, 2019 -
Are there any public schools or districts in the East Bay that are intentionally low/no tech for elementary school? I work in education and have seen the heavy handed push of EdTech products that have zero impact for students other than some additional mindless screen time. I'm not against all technology (my M.S.Ed is in Online Teaching and Learning) but the real benefits come from older students using technology tools to create, not from plugging young kids into screens and calling it personalized learning. WCCUSD is testing a new curriculum at the elementary level that has the very youngest students doing homework online. I am 100% not okay with this for my kids, and it may actually push us to move schools. We would prefer to avoid private schools and charter schools, are there any public schools/districts you can point us to? Thank you.
Feb 27, 2019 -
I participated in a tour of EBI in Oakland and was mostly impressed with what I saw, but I'm wondering about their technology use policies. It was briefly covered during the tour, but I felt like the topic was glossed over. My partner and I believe very strongly that screen time is harmful, and at a young age they don't need to stare, swipe, and tap at screens. Our child has never seen us watch TV, and believes the iphone and ipad are how we chat with grandma and grandpa who live far away, that's it.
Can any current parent explain to me how it really is in the classrooms when it comes to ipads and screens? Is it used everyday for 30 minutes, every week for an hour, for special events only... ??? Our child would be heading into one of the pre-kinder classes (yellow or blue/green, I think).
Thank you.
Dec 11, 2018 -
Hi bpn! Can anyone tell me about technology use in Berkeley Public elementary schools? (Specifically, Kindergartens in the Central zone.)
i.e., Do teachers use screens in the classrooms? For what? Do kids take tests on computers? (My niece in another state does, and I've realized I don't have any idea what happens here.) Anything else noteworthy?
Thanks!
Jan 11, 2018